.png)
Alcohol will be completely banned at the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, according to the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud confirmed in an interview with British radio station LBC that alcoholic beverages will not be available anywhere during the tournament, including hotels.
“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” he stated. “Plenty of fun can be had without it. It’s not 100 percent necessary, and if you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to—but for now, alcohol is not permitted.”
When asked if this restriction would apply to fans in their hotels, Prince Khalid reaffirmed, “No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
Saudi Arabia strictly prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol in line with its cultural and religious principles. The issue of alcohol availability also arose before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where FIFA initially planned to allow beer sales in stadiums, only to reverse the decision two days before kickoff. In Qatar, alcohol was ultimately limited to designated fan zones and select luxury hotel bars.
With Saudi Arabia investing heavily in global sports and hosting major events, human rights organizations have accused the country of "sportswashing"—using sports to improve its international image while deflecting attention from human rights concerns.
The Gulf nation has faced criticism over its stance on LGBTQ+ rights, with homosexuality being illegal and transgender identities not recognized. However, Prince Khalid emphasized that Saudi Arabia would welcome all visitors.
“It’s not a Saudi event—it’s a world event,” he said. “We will welcome everyone who wants to come. Every country has its own culture, and while we are happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of ours, we are not going to change our culture for others.”
Although Saudi Arabia currently enforces strict alcohol laws, some insiders suggest that there could be a relaxation of regulations in the coming years, possibly allowing limited alcohol sales in designated locations such as hotels. However, there has been no official confirmation of any such change.
FIFA, which has lucrative sponsorship deals with beer companies, may face challenges due to Saudi Arabia’s alcohol ban. Whether the governing body will push for a policy shift before the tournament remains to be seen.
Saudi Arabia was awarded hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup in December after submitting the only bid for the tournament. The decision has drawn scrutiny, with critics questioning FIFA’s selection process given the country's human rights record.
As preparations move forward, one thing is clear—fans attending the 2034 World Cup will have to experience the event without alcohol.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels / Juliano Ferreira
